List of Illustrations	ix
Foreword by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche	xi
Preface	xiii
Abbreviations	xviii
INTRODUCTION
1. Description and Background	1
Notes	7
2. Practice of the Four Foundations	9
Interview with Kalu Rinpoche, Deshung Rinpoche and Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche	9
Notes	24
THE TORCH OF CERTAINTY
Invocation	27
1. The Four Ordinary Foundations	29
Prologue	30
1. The Precious Human Birth	31
2. Impermanence	35
3. Action, Cause and Result	38
4. The Shortcomings of Samsara	43
Conclusion	47
Notes	49
2. First of the Four Special Foundations: Taking Refuge and Engendering the Enlightened Attitude	53
Taking Refuge	53
Engendering the Enlightened Attitude	60
Notes	69
3. Second of the Four Special Foundations: The Hundres-Syllable Mantra of Vajrasattva Which Purifies Harmful             Deeds and Removes Obscurations	79
Prologue	79
Practical Instructions	80
Commentary	82
Notes	88
4. Third  of the Four Special Foundations: The Mandala Offering Which Perfects the Two Accumulations	93
Practical Instructions	96
Commentary	105
Conclusion	110
Notes	111
5.  Fourth of the Special Foundations: The Guru Yoga Which Rapidly Confers Blessing	119
Meditation	120
Commentary	123
Conclusion	129
Notes	133
Colophon	139
Notes	139
Bibliograpy	141
Index 1: General Names and Subjects	145
Index 2: Tibetan Technical Terms and Names	159